Join over 6500+ people who have beaten Gum Disease using this method at home without expensive, rushed and ineffective dental visits. Your Gum Disease: Solved.
If you’ve been told by your dentist you have periodontal disease (also called gum disease) or suspect you have it after reading our comprehensive guide you may be wondering if gum disease can be cured. The honest answer is that it depends on the stage of disease you have – if caught in the early stages, it is reversible, and your gums can fully recover but in the more advanced stages, it can only be controlled and prevented from progressing.
An Overview Of Periodontal Diseases
Gum disease is a term used to describe a range of inflammatory infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis that affect the gums and structures that hold the teeth in place including the jaw bone and periodontal ligament (attaches the teeth to the bone).
The Signs & Symptoms Of Gum Disease
The disease is characterised by red, swollen and bleeding gums but as the condition progresses other signs include bad breath, receding gums, loose wobbly teeth and gums that pull away from your teeth. When left untreated it can lead to tooth loss.
What Causes It?
The main villain is plaque which is a sticky film made up of bacteria and food debris. Poor oral hygiene in susceptible people is usually to blame. Not brushing or flossing regularly gives plaque a free pass to accumulate.
You could think of your mouth as a garden where plants (your gums) are getting overrun by weeds (the harmful bacteria) if not properly tended to.
But it’s not just about brushing habits. Other factors play a role too, such as:
- Smoking: It’s a big no-no for oral health. It’s a leading cause of disease. Smoking weakens your body’s immune system making it harder to ward off diseases, whilst at the same time making the mouth a more hospitable place for the bacteria to live.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are at higher risk, as raised blood sugar levels in the mouth promote the accumulation of plaque.
- Other Risk Factors: Poor diet, obesity, hormonal changes (like during pregnancy or menopause), certain medications that reduce saliva, and even genetics.
The Different Stages Of Gum Disease
Gum disease progresses through various stages, each increasingly severe.
It begins with gingivitis, where plaque buildup leads to gum inflammation.
If not addressed, it advances to early periodontitis, where the infection starts affecting the bone and fibers holding teeth in place. The next stage, moderate periodontitis, sees more rapid bone loss and gum recession.
In its most severe form, advanced periodontitis, there is significant destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth, often causing teeth to become loose and wobbly and fall out.
Can Gum Disease Be Cured?
The answer is a hopeful mix of ‘yes’ and ‘it depends’ on how quickly it’s detected and treated.
Gingivitis Is Reversible
This early stage of the disease is like a small warning sign on the road to your oral health. It’s your body saying, “Hey, I need a bit more care here!” The fantastic news is, at this stage, gum disease is curable! How? It’s all about stepping up your oral hygiene game.
Imagine your mouth as a cosy little home for your teeth and gums. Keeping this home clean involves regular brushing (twice a day), and cleaning the interdental spaces daily, to evict those pesky bacteria and stop them from setting up camp on your gums.
But wait, there’s more! Regular visits to your dentist for cleanings and check-ups are super important. They’re like having a professional home inspector who makes sure everything is in tip-top shape. Catching gingivitis early and giving it the boot with proper care and professional help is totally doable!
Periodontitis Can Be Controlled
Now, when gingivitis decides to stick around and turn into periodontitis, things get a bit more complicated. At this stage, the damage to the bones that support your teeth becomes more serious and any damage that’s been caused is irreversible.
But it’s not all bad news, it can be treated, controlled and prevented from progressing further.
Treatment at this stage often involves deeper cleaning techniques, like scaling and root planing. Sometimes, medication or even surgery might be needed, depending on how advanced the condition is.
The key to controlling advanced gum disease is consistent and meticulous care. It’s a team effort between you, your trusty toothbrush and interdental brushes, and your dental professionals.
How To Reverse Gum Disease
To reverse the disease you need to disrupt the plaque daily at home. This allows the gums to heal and return to a state of good health.
The best way to disrupt the plaque each day is with daily self-care treatments. This includes good oral hygiene and in some cases, it’s helpful to make a few lifestyle changes.
Daily Self-Performed Care
Oral health experts around the world recommend that you
- Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes.
- Use an electric toothbrush – ensure that you’re using the correct technique to get the most out of your electric brush.
- Change the head once every three months.
- Carefully clean the interdental spaces using the correct technique. You can use a gum pocket brush, interdental brushes, floss, water flossers or a combination.
Reduce Your Risk – Making Lifestyle Choices Can Help Fix Gum Disease
Several lifestyle choices can enable plaque to thrive within the mouth. For self-care treatments to be as effective as possible, making some changes may be beneficial. This will make it more difficult for plaque to thrive in the mouth. We recommend the following.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of gum disease and tooth loss around the world. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels so the symptoms of bleeding and redness are often not present. This means that smokers don’t realize they have anything wrong and it’s allowed to get worse. Reducing or ideally, stopping smoking gives your gums the best chance of recovering.
Control Sugar Levels
If you have diabetes you are probably aware that you are at an increased risk of developing gum disease. Controlling blood sugars will help your gums to heal by reducing the amount of sugar in your saliva. This reduction of glucose in the saliva will help remove the bacteria’s food source and help your gums to heal.
Consume Sugar Less Frequently
Bacteria love sugar. When you eat sugar frequently it provides the bacteria with an endless supply of energy. The bacteria thrive. They produce acid that causes cavities and other products such as toxins which irritate the gums and ligaments that hold the teeth in place. These toxins also activate the body’s immune system, destroying the alveolar bone and creating a stable bed for the teeth to sit in. Eating less sugar will help your gums to recover.
Eat a healthy diet
It’s not just about removing sugar from your diet. It’s also about giving the teeth and bones the nutrients and vitamins they need. This ensures the gums and structures that hold the teeth in place are strong and healthy. Eat a diet full of calcium and vitamin C. Also, ensure that you get an adequate supply of vitamin D from the sun or supplements.
Drink Water
Nutritionists and dentists recommend that we drink water throughout the day. It helps to wash away bacteria from the body and mouth. It also helps ensure our mouths are moist and adequate saliva is produced. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and creates an environment that’s less hospitable to bacteria.
Treat Gum Disease
To ensure your daily performed self-care treatments are effective, you may also need some professional gum health treatments.
It’s difficult to disrupt and remove plaque from the deep periodontal pockets and tooth roots at home. Visiting a dental expert is advisable as dentists can remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line enabling the gums to heal fully.
Dental experts can also provide an expert diagnosis of your condition. They can provide a range of treatment options and surgical treatments that will restore the health of your mouth.
Takeaway
Whether gum disease can be cured or reversed depends on the stage of the disease.
In the early stages (gingivitis) it can be reversed! With consistent good oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings, the inflammation can be resolved and gum health restored. Early detection and intervention are key.
Unfortunately, in the advanced stages the damage caused, specifically bone loss, is irreversible. However, even in this stage, treatment can stop the progression, prevent further damage, and significantly improve oral health. This may involve procedures like scaling and root planing, gum surgery, or bone grafting.
